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Monday 30 August has been declared DeLorean Day at the classic car visitor attraction in Ambergate. To celebrate, there will be something for every member of the family to enjoy at Great British Car Journey.

Production of the DeLorean began in 1981 just four years before the car was catapulted into the spotlight by the highest-grossing film of 1985 – Back To The Future.

With its revolutionary stainless-steel body and distinctive gull-wing doors, the DeLorean was born with film star appeal. 

The futuristic DMC-12 sportscar now enjoys cult status for its time-travelling antics with Marty McFly and Doc Brown in the blockbuster Back to the Future movie franchise.

There will be a selection of DeLorean cars on display at the attraction, including a very rare right hand drive model on loan from the DeLorean Owners Club UK.

There’s even the opportunity to sit in a DeLorean and utter the immortal words of Doc Brown – “Roads? Where we’re going we don’t need roads!”

Kids are also encouraged to come in Back To The Future costumes, with a prize for the best mini Marty McFly and Doc Brown on the day. Prizes include a ride in a DeLorean, model cars and goody bags.

However, it’s not all about Back To The Future. At the event enthusiasts can meet with one of the foremost DeLorean experts in the UK, Chris Parnham, author of DeLorean: Celebrating the Impossible. Chris has an encyclopedic knowledge of the DeLorean and its inventor John Zachary DeLorean.

Manufactured in Northern Ireland, the DeLorean has rightfully claimed its place in the Great British Car collection which features more than 130 cars manufactured and designed in the UK.

Pre-booking is essential for DeLorean Day. Family tickets (2 adults and up to 3 children) for the day are just £30, a saving of £10, and include access to the full exhibition from 10.00am – 5.00pm

To book a ticket for the DeLorean Day event on Monday 30 August at Great British Car Journey visit www.greatbritishcarjourney.com or call 01773 317243.

Ahead of Derbyshire’s newest visitor attraction officially opening next month, Great British Car Journey will be taking part in the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs National Drive It Day on Sunday 25 April.

Great British Car Journey is welcoming people to stop in at the site, based at the former Wire Works factory in Ambergate (DE56 2HE), where refreshments and toilet facilities will be available.

Created by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) in 2005, National Drive It Day is the occasion when historic vehicle enthusiasts and the public at large have the opportunity to celebrate the One Thousand Mile Trial organised in 1900 to prove the viability of the new invention, the motor vehicle.

It’s also a chance to raise awareness and support amongst the public for the historic vehicle movement and keeping transport heritage on UK roads.

Opening its doors on Saturday 22 May, Great British Car Journey will boast more than 150 British designed and manufactured classic and historic vehicles from the 1930s – 1990s. Visitors to the indoor attraction will be taken on an interactive journey through the golden years of British car design and manufacturing using a unique audio-visual device.

The final touches are now being put to the four-acre site ahead of opening to the general public. Entry costs just £15 per adult and advance tickets can now be purchased at www.greatbritishcarjourney.com

Richard Usher, owner of Great British Car Journey, explained why the attraction is getting involved this year, saying: “This is a fabulous annual event which I have long supported. Although the attraction isn’t yet open, we have great outdoor space that we are able to use to welcome historic vehicle enthusiasts to the site. Not only will it be a great event ahead of us opening but we are also helping to raise money for a very worthwhile charity.”

This year, FBHVC has teamed up with the NSPCC’s Childline® to raise money as an integrated part of Drive it Day in order to use the movement to contribute to a section of society that has needed huge help and support during the pandemic – vulnerable children. 

Great British Car Journey will also be making a donation to NSPCC based on the number of visitors to the site on the day.

Sir Peter Wanless, Chief Executive of the NSPCC said “We are delighted with the support of classic and historic vehicle enthusiasts in contributing to the work of Childline® in our first year of partnership.  This support is especially important at the moment, Childline® is a crucial service on which young people can rely – day or night – whatever problems or dangers they are facing.”

David Whale, Chairman of the FBHVC said, “National Drive it Day has its place as a symbolic season opener, a chance to get historic vehicles of all shapes, sizes and types out in use, seen by the public and enjoyed by their custodians. It’s a statement of national importance because, not only does it ensure that our transport heritage continues as a moving, working, living experience, but also raises awareness of the size, importance and contribution that the historic vehicle movement makes to the world.”

After a stormy night, it’s been mainly dry at Ambergate today which is a relief as we have had film crews shooting both inside and out.

As public open day gets ever closer (May 22^nd), our willing team of contractors are starting to clear the building and leave the GBCJ team to fettle the cars and the displays. Foremost amongst the team are our wonderful volunteers who have been hard at it with the Autoglym which has been kindly supplied free of charge by the company…it really is a quality range of products.

Similarly, Fuchs who were of course once a Company called Silkolene based down the road in Belper have been very supportive and we are proud to recommend and sell their range of classic lubricants.

Our McLaren 650S has also arrived safely and if you see a bright orange one on the road between Ambergate and Longcliffe, the man grinning at the wheel is probably me, just checking that everything is functioning as it should.

New employees join us daily and particular thanks to the cleaning staff who are busy making sure that we are and remain super-clean whilst ever Covid is still a threat.

Stay safe. 

Richard